High Schools in Line for Major Upgrades
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Moore County Schools, having saved more than $11 million from prior construction projects, has received permission to spend that on significant upgrades to its three high schools.
The county Board of Commissioners gave Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence the OK last week to use $11,082,494 on the upgrades, plus an additional $100,000 in lottery funds to cover any remaining costs.
“This is a good thing for Moore County, and modernizing the high schools is something that needed to be done,” Spence said “The kids deserve a great place to go to school.”
Spence addressed the board prior to the vote.
“Our phase I bond project was originally estimated at $54 million, but we completed it under budget with a savings of almost $11 million,’ he said. “These savings were the result of a good bidding process. We used sound construction management practices and a strategic allocation of resources.”
The $11 million granted by the board comes from these savings, Spence said.
The next construction phase will include modernization and standardization of facilities at Union Pines, Pinecrest, and North Moore High Schools, Moore County Schools’ Chief Finance Officer Mike Griffin said.
“We plan to renovate HVAC, roofing, the electrical system, the plumbing, fire alarms and security, technology and other systems at these schools,” he said.
The estimated cost is $5,737,782.
This phase also involves building auxiliary gymnasiums for Pinecrest and Union Pines at $2,067,074 and $3,277,638 respectively.
Griffin said that the $100,000 in lottery funds granted as a contingency “would probably not be needed.”
“Most likely we will be able to pay for the project through savings, but we needed to have the $100,000 approved in order to move forward with the project.”
Griffin reiterated the school system’s accomplishments from the first building phase.
“Phase one involved the creation of two schools, West Pine Elementary and Crains Creek Middle, and included renovations and additions to four elementary schools. We added classrooms to Union Pines and North Moore High Schools under phase one, completed water and sewer projects, and made improvements to the athletic facilities at all high schools and middle schools,” Griffin said. “The savings amounted to more than $800,000 for the taxpayers.”
Moore County School Board Chairman Kathy Farren addressed the board prior to the vote.
“Our two beliefs are to strategically allocate resources and to build community,” she said. “You (board members) show that you are interested in Moore County schools and we thank you for your support of our projects.”
Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.
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Comments
lakeview 10 months ago
Good News!!
nbmoore 10 months ago
we need more books instead of renovations to buildings
bjohnson0413 10 months ago
What good are books if there is no place to put the students?
Toda 10 months ago
Good News Indeed! “These savings were the result of a good bidding process. We used sound construction management practices and a strategic allocation of resources.”
The other good news is that the General Fund - Refunding Debt Series had a remaining balance of 10,370,000 dollars in outstanding interest debt through 6/1/2018.
Just ask Big Johnson 0413 and TPO-4 will provide for decades into the future....
Good News Indeed for all taxpayers who want quality schools that rank number 1 statewide: Academy Heights Elementary Here's your link
Moore County High School Rankings: Union Pines # 52, Pinecrest # 64, and North Moore # 179. Here's your link
By the way, I wasn't the web developer for those pages. Protest your ire in the comments section on the pages posted.
Adman 10 months ago
Way to go MCS!!! Especially in these days in time when it seems almost everything is either in, about or facing deficits - that's amazing they're that much in the green. While everyone else, including major corporations, stress over trying to stretch out a dollar, MCS was layin low and stackin' them up some bills! Hey, is there any way I can get you guys to go over my books and get your pinch on so I can be start rackin' up some Benjamins too?
On a serious note, I am into the local HS sports scene and just curious as to what exactly an auxiliary gym is?
RD28327 10 months ago
An auxiliary gym is a second gym which would mainly be used for practices and PE classes, as well as most likely not have too much room for spectators.
NewspaperReader 10 months ago
Really, a gym for Union Pines? How about some modern computer labs and some classes that will actually teach kids something useful?
moconative 9 months, 4 weeks ago
I've noticed some land clearing going on behind the Pinecrest softball field. I had heard before that there were plans to build a new soccer field. Anyone know what is going on out there?
Adman 9 months, 4 weeks ago
I've been hearing about plans to build a soccer-only field/complex at Pinecrest for about the last 10 years... well, I remember hearing about the concept when it was first introduced by Larry Martin around 2003-2004, but haven't heard anything more about it since. I do recall that when the idea was first being pitched (no pun intended) around back then, in the original plans the complex was to be located in the area behind the softball field.
cantstandya 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Agree with comment being made about designs of these facilities,keep them simple,energy efficient and cost effective,although most Moore County schools are built with much consideration taken on these functions than some other counties,but with energy cost what they are a working relationship between designers and MEP's usually ends up with a far better product than just one firm doing all the design work,many of these firms get paid by percentage so cost does not always come in to play as it should,with change orders in the middle of any job creating a budget failures,al in all Moore County has a very good staff that insures their money is spent wisely.
RD28327 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Wasn't there something in the bond referendum passed several years ago about building a new high school most likely to be located in the West Pine area?
cooldaddy 9 months, 4 weeks ago
100,000 dollars from the lottery? Thanks Lottery you wonderful thing you. What a pathetic amount to give. Where is all the lottery money going? I gues some is better than nothing, but it is way low. By the time a dollar spent on a ticket get's back to the schools, it ain't much.
cooldaddy 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Every kid should have a laptop. EVERY kid. A great divide is being created because of money.Education should be equal. I am a conservative so don't even go there. Yes all can get on a computer at a library...but that is not equal.
Toda 9 months, 4 weeks ago
RD28327 18 hours, 28 minutes ago => if my recall is reflective, Bond 1 was for the West Pine Middle School that was built. You can request a Debt Management profile that will provide you with numbers. I'd give that a try....
Toda 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Computer technology provides limited abilities for research since almost all colleges and universities will not permit the use of Wikipedia or any Wiki as biographical references. Schools, colleges, and universities still require printed text to graft a logical learned approach to a quality education.